Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Great for Understanding the Career Path You May Want Past Review

By (Brandeis University) - abroad from 01/14/2019 to 04/26/2019 with

Boston University: Geneva - Internship Program

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Even though there were a lot of ups and down in my abroad experience, I still found it extremely worthwhile and recommend anyone and everyone to go abroad.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 6 months+

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

I loved the classes I took, and my internship while abroad. I feel that I learned so much about the field of global health, and that I gained many important skills both professionally and academically.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

This is a tough question for me. I feel that career wise, I learned and professionally I am so grateful for everything that this program has taught me about what I want to do as a career. However, I do not feel that it was so much the study abroad experience I wanted, as I did not feel integrated into the city at all, and Geneva was a very difficult city to live in financially and personally.

Finances

* Money: How easily were you able to live on a student's budget?

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
How much did the program encourage you to use the language?

0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language

How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? Beginner
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? Intermediate
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? One semester
How many hours per day did you use the language?

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? 0

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • the Professor
  • the internship
  • the classes
* What could be improved?
  • Administration
  • More integration into Swiss culture and people
  • Kitchen in the dorm
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish that I knew how rigorous and challenging the schedule for this program was going to be. As study abroad is pass/fail for Brandeis students, I thought that I would have a lot of time to explore Geneva, Switzerland, and other parts of Europe. However, most days, I found myself working and/or studying all day and all night. Additionally, I wish that I knew how expensive living and eating in Geneva would be.

Reasons For Studying Abroad

To help future students find programs attended by like-minded individuals, please choose the profile that most closely represents you.
The Academic or Linguist
You went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you!